PACO NEWS
HAPPY NEW YEARPACO extends our best wishes for a bright and cheerful New Year to all its members! We wish you all peace and blessings in the coming year. Have a happy and safe New Year and please celebrate responsibly!
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Please join us at noon on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 when Lori Wagner, president of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, will update us on the many benefits of NFPA membership and bring us up to date on the NFPA's new initiatives. Remember, your PACO membership includes membership in the NFPA - come find out what that means for you! Registration is available on the website at https://pacoparalegals.org/event-6494089?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=1/29/2026
LEGAL INSIGHTS
Please join us at noon on January 29, 2026 when Dean Boerger will present A Litigator's Field Guide to Civil Defense Investigations. This program will provide a pragmatic, experience-driven framework for attorneys, paralegals, and legal professional engaged in civil defense litigation. The program will explore best practices in evidence gathering, witness preparation, investigative planning, and case strategy. This program will provide actionable tools, checklists, and insights to enhance litigation outcomes and reinforce defense casework. Registration is available on the website at https://pacoparalegals.org/event-6494098?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=1/29/2026
FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT NEWS
On December 16, 2025, Clerk Lori Tyack and members of her staff joined us for our General Membership Meeting and shared lots of updates from the Clerk's office. One of those updates involves new court costs that went into effect on December 15, 2025. In addition, the Clerk's office will be getting a new office! In Spring 2026, the James A. Karnes Building will be demolished to make way for the new Municipal Court Clerk's office. Construction will begin in Fall 2026 to early 2027 and the new building is expected to open in 2029-2030.
In its efforts to streamline the facilities, the Clerk's office will no longer maintain physical case files since cases are now stored electronically through the e-filing process. All of the cases in existence prior to e-filing now must be scanned and imaged in order to maintain those files electronically. The Clerk's office welcomes any assistance paralegals wish to offer to assist in this process. If you are interested in assisting in this project, please contact Tate Wooding, Director of Public Relations, at woodingt@fcmcclerk.com for more information on volunteering your time.
OSBA PARALEGAL COMMITTEE
The OSBA Paralegal Committee Winter Meeting will take place on February 13, 2026 from 12:00-1:30PM (please note the corrected time from previous communications). Please consider joining us to get involved in the paralegal community.
OSBA STUDY GROUP
The next OSBA Certification Exam Study Group will be held January 27, 2026 at 6:30PM. Please reach out to Ashley Harris (harris.ashnic@gmail.com) if you haven't already registered and want to participate. All sessions are held virtually. The study group is open to all Ohio paralegals planning to sit for the OSBA Certification Exam. There is no cost.
PACO ROUND TABLES
PACO is proud to announce that beginning in January 2026, we will be offering three practice area round tables! Our first round table (Domestic Relations) will take place on January 26, 2026 at noon. Alexandria Ruden, Esq. will join us to discuss safety focused parenting plans. Registration will be available soon.
PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES WITH LASCO
Immigration Pro Bono Opportunities:
Asylum Clinics - there are many asylum clinics coming up. The next date is Thursday, February 19, 2026. For more information, to register, and to learn about training necessary for participation: https://oslsa.wufoo.com/forms/mq5q1bh0o5nipi/
Welcome Wednesday - Immigration Project. The next session being offered is Wednesday, December 3, 2025. For more information and to register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44AFAD2CAAF85-54921199-adhocproject#/